November 2023 Council Minutes

November 20, 2023

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT

ABSENT

VISITORS

MINUTES

BILLS

AMENDMENT

A.F. DOBLER HOSE

Council in regular session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in council chambers. Dennis McNally, Council President, presiding.

Dennis McNally, Council President Alfred Noble, Vice President Jeanne Miller

Gregg Mitcho Jim Simonelli Doug Wright

Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Peter Burton, Mayor

Joseph Yochim, Solicitor Kevin Rafferty, Chief of Police

Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor

Robert “Doc” Orr Mark Corey, Engineer

Tim Knapp

Ginger Cinti, Lake City Councilmember Laura Grappy

Motion by Councilmember Mitcho to approve the minutes of the October 16, 2023 council meeting. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Councilmember Noble to approve the bills for payment. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.

The Borough Manager asked for two amendments to the agenda. One was to allow for Resolution 1-11-2023 to apply for a state grant for the Quail Ridge Lift Station Replacement Project and the other is to allow Council to select from the list of bidders for the Pine Tree Drive Storm Sewer Project. Motion by Councilmember Noble to accept the additions to the agenda. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.

Councilmember Mitcho mentioned that Volunteer Firefighter Nick Roberts saved a resident from an apartment fire by removing them from the building. The Girard School District bus company First Student donated a bus to Dobler Hose so they could practice school bus evacuation techniques.

MAYOR/POLICE

RESOLUTION 1-11-2023

PINE TREE STORM SEWER PROJECT

ORDANANCE 755

BUDGET

SOLICITOR/ ENGINEER SERVICE AGREEMENT

Mayor Burton reported that November 24^th would be light up night December 1^st and 2^nd would be the Holiday 3, 2, 1, event and December 6^th is the Chamber lunch. Councilmember Mitcho mentioned that the numbers are up on the police report.

This resolution is for a Statewide Local Share Assessment Grant for $500,000.00 for the QuaI Ridge Lift Station Replacement Project. Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve Resolution 1-11-2023. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve Chivers Construction as the bid winner for the Pine Tree Drive Storm Water Project. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.

An ordinance authorizing Girard Borough to enter into an inter-municipal cooperation agreement with other west county municipalities for the purpose of forming, establishing, and joining a council of governments or consortium to be known as the “West County Paramedic Association” (WCPA) under and by virtue of the authority set forth in the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, 53 PA. C.S.A. SECTION 2301 ET. SEQ. Motion by Councilmember Mitcho to approve Ordinance 755. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.

The tentative budget for 2024, in the amount of $6, 618, 983.00 was adopted at the November 8, 2023 meeting. The proposed 2024 Budget includes 1.89 mills real estate tax an increase to the present real estate tax of 1 mill for the fire tax and allows for $665,174.00 in general fund reserve money to be used for Capital Expenditures. I respectfully request Council to vote favorably on the proposed budget. Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve the tentative budget for 2024. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.

Enclosed are copies of the Agreements for both the solicitor and engineer for Council approval. Motion by Councilmember Noble to approve the Solicitor and

Engineer Agreements for 2024. Seconded by Councilmember Mitcho. All in favor. Motion carried.

ELECTION DAY

LEAF PICK UP

REORGANIZATION MEETING

AUDIT STATUS

SMALL BUSINESS

RACETO REMEMBER

CIVIL SERVISE TEST

MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT TRUST

Congratulations to Councilmembers Orr, and Wright on reelection and congratulations to Mr. Knapp on winning his Councilmember seat. A two-year seat is open for Council appointment.

The remaining Leaf Pick Up Date is November 24th Only 30-gallon clear plastic bags will be picked up. Only bags of leaves will be accepted. An unlimited number of bags may be placed at the curb lawn for collection. Leaves will not be collected with the regular trash pick-up and should be placed at the curb the night before pick up.

On January 2, 2024 the Girard Borough Council will hold a reorganization meeting at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers.

Consultant Mike Sultanik will be working with our auditor Maillie Accountants, Christopher N. Herr, CPA, 500 North Lewis Road, Limerick, PA 19468. Maillie will complete the 2022, 2023 and 2024 audit for Girard Borough. Mr. Sultanik was on sight November 13 -17 for audit prep for 2022 and ongoing reconciliation training.

The main Street businesses will have extended shopping hours on December 15, 2023 on Main Street from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Council agreed to allow businesses to serve “alcohol to go” for the business district.

The Girard Cross Country Boosters are planning to host the 2nd annual Race To Remember SK. The date of the race is Saturday, February 3. Race start is 9:30 am from the Girard High School. Its the same route as last year. Starting on Lake Street, by the corn field, circling Pine Tree Drive, up Lake Street, onto Kibler then Hill Crest Drive, back down Lake Street, one more lap around Pine Tree, then into the High School parking lot. The Booster organization is requesting any kind of Girard Borough assistance for traffic control, and if needed, any extra snow removal.

The Civil Service Commission test took place on November 5, 2023. All three candidates passed the test. One of the candidates is currently eligible and the other two will be eligible in the new year.

Joe Scott, the MRT Services Director, Officer Ryan Zuern and the Borough Manager held a meeting on November 16, 2023 to discuss moving all of the borough pensions to MRT. The Council will need to vote to proceed with the pension administrator change. If approved, according to Act 44 an RFP (request for proposal) for municipal pension services will need to run. Council will then proceed to select from the RFPs. If MRT is chosen by Council, then the formal process will begin. Motion by Councilmember Simonelli assign the Borough Manager to advertise a request for proposal for pension management services. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.

MISC.                           Councilmember Miller mentioned that the gates at the softball field do not open correctly and need repair. A garbage container by the concession stand is full and the bases are still out in the weather. The agreement with the softball players needs to address all the issues concerning the field. Councilmember Miller also mentioned that the Communications Center passed their budget and there was a slight decrease in the amount required by Girard Borough.

Councilmember Noble said that the wood chips under the play equipment in the park behind the borough building should be updated next year. Councilmember Noble thanked everyone for the ability to serve on Council the past 32 years and this would be his last Council Meeting as a Councilperson.

Meeting adjourned at 7:43 for a five-minute break before going into Executive Session.

EXECUTIVE

SESSION                      At 7:50 p.m., President McNally asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.

REGULAR

MEETING                     The regular meeting was called back into session at 8:25 p.m.

Motion by Councilmember Mitcho to rescind a motion from the October Council Meeting to change healthcare providers to Highmark. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.

ADJOURN                    Motion by Councilmember Simonelli and seconded by Councilmember Wright to adjourn at 8:27 p.m. All in favor.

Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager